FREYR Battery Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

FREYR Battery, Inc. (NYSE: FREY) reported financial results for Q4 and full year 2023, highlighting successful trials at the Customer Qualification Plant, progress towards DOE Title 17 application, and the launch of FREYR 2.0 growth initiative.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The announcement from FREYR Battery, Inc. regarding the progress in their Customer Qualification Plant (CQP) and the launch of the FREYR 2.0 growth initiative is a significant development for the company and the battery industry. The successful automated anode casting trials and the expected commencement of production in the first half of 2024 indicate that FREYR is on track to meet its production milestones. This progress is not only a technical achievement but also a strategic move to align with the U.S. Department of Energy's funding initiatives, potentially enhancing the company's financial stability and growth prospects.

The focus on the SemiSolid platform and the expansion into Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) markets demonstrate a strategic diversification. This diversification is crucial as it mitigates risks associated with market fluctuations and positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for battery storage solutions. The mention of producing both Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) cells indicates an adaptive approach to market trends and customer needs, which is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

Financial Analyst

FREYR's financial results and their implications for the stock market are of interest to investors and analysts alike. The company's positioning for a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office could provide a substantial financial boost and reduce capital expenditure risks. This potential funding, coupled with the creation of hundreds of jobs, may positively influence investor sentiment and the company's stock valuation.

Moreover, the FREYR 2.0 growth initiative suggests that the company is actively seeking to expand its market presence and production capacity. The reference to over 100 GWh of production capacity in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the exploration of inorganic opportunities to expedite market entry and revenue generation, could signal a bullish outlook for the company's future earnings potential. These developments could lead to a revaluation of the company's stock as the market digests the long-term implications of FREYR's strategic initiatives.

Energy Sector Analyst

The advancements at FREYR's Customer Qualification Plant represent a notable stride in the energy sector, particularly within the clean energy and battery technology space. The company's alignment with the U.S. Department of Energy's initiatives reflects a broader trend of government support for sustainable energy solutions, which is becoming increasingly critical in the context of global efforts to combat climate change.

The potential for FREYR's SemiSolid platform to contribute to the U.S. energy infrastructure, particularly in ESS and EV applications, could have far-reaching implications for energy independence and the transition to renewable sources. The ability to produce different types of battery cells, such as LFP and NMC, showcases the company's versatility and readiness to adapt to the evolving energy storage market. This adaptability is key to staying at the forefront of the rapidly growing and changing energy sector.

NEW YORK & OSLO, Norway & NEWNAN, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FREYR Battery, Inc. (NYSE: FREY) (“FREYR” or the “Company”), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.

Highlights:

• New operations update: another key milestone reached at Customer Qualification Plant. Building on recent technical achievements, FREYR’s Asset Mo team at the Customer Qualification Plant (“CQP”) conducted successful automated anode casting trials with active anode slurry in the second half of February. With the success of the cathode casting trials earlier in February and today’s announcement, the remaining major milestone before the expected start of automated production at the CQP is the integration of the casting webs across the cathode, anode, and merge units of the Casting and Unit Cell Assembly equipment using the highly complex Multi-Carrier System (“MCS”). FREYR expects to commence production of functional battery cells for customer samples using the full automation of the CQP in H1 2024.
• CQP progress to support U.S. Department of Energy Title 17 application. Based on recent achievements and the production road map at the CQP, FREYR is positioning the Company to qualify for a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) Loan Programs Office by year-end 2024. The Company’s Title 17 application is tied to the development of Giga America using the 24M Technologies (“24M”) U.S.-based SemiSolid^TM platform. Over the initial phase of the project, Giga America is expected to generate hundreds of jobs in Coweta County, GA and the surrounding areas.
• Launching FREYR 2.0 growth initiative. FREYR’s strong competitive and financial position is generating interest from a broad range of participants across the global battery value chain. Based on ongoing conversations with these stakeholders, the Company has established the FREYR 2.0 growth initiative, which encompasses the pursuit of five major opportunities tied to distinct projects using either the SemiSolid platform or conventional technology totaling more than 100 GWh of production capacity in the U.S. and Europe. The prospective end markets for these projects include both Energy Storage Systems (“ESS”) and passenger EV applications with the possibility to produce both LFP and NMC cells. Additionally, the 2.0 initiative includes separate potential inorganic opportunities to accelerate FREYR’s path to market and first revenues.

“The actions we have taken to strengthen our organization to accelerate FREYR’s path to first production and enhance our financial position are driving tangible progress,” said Birger Steen, FREYR’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am excited about the recent achievements of key milestones at the CQP, several exciting discussions we have ongoing with potential strategic partners, the completion of our redomicile to the U.S., and the continued progression of financing initiatives including the DOE Title 17 process. With the start of automated cell production at the CQP expected in the first half of 2024, we are executing our plan to demonstrate 24M at scale and to establish FREYR as the Western industrialization partner of choice in the global battery space.”

Recent news

• February operations update: On February 7^th, 2024, FREYR published an operations and financial update indicating that the company had reached the milestone of automatically casting electrodes with active electrolyte slurry in a dry room environment at the Customer Qualification Plant (“CQP”) in Mo i Rana, Norway.
• Year-end 2023 cash balance of $276 million: Having ended the year with cash, restricted cash and equivalents of $275.7 million as indicated in the operations and financial update published on February 7^th, and with FREYR’s reduced cash requirements for 2024 compared with 2023, FREYR has a two-year cash runway before any new financings associated with the DOE Title 17 process and/or the prospective project-level equity raise for Giga America. The Company’s 2024 spending will be focused on achieving production using the full automation at the CQP with 24M technology in H1 2024, the production ramp necessary to deliver testable cells from the CQP to our customers, the continued development of Giga America including costs necessary to obtain conditional credit approval in 2024 for the 24M-based gigafactory from the DOE Title 17 loan program, and pursuing a conventional technology agreement and project to accelerate the path to first revenues and diversify FREYR’s end markets. Timing and amounts of cash outlays could vary depending on the pace and progress of each of these and other initiatives.
• FREYR is now a U.S. company following completion of redomicile: On January 2^nd, 2024, FREYR announced that the Company completed the process to redomicile from Luxembourg to the United States following a shareholder vote at the Company’s extraordinary general meeting on December 15, 2023. FREYR’s Board of Directors believes that redomiciling to the United States will enhance shareholder value by simplifying FREYR’s corporate structure and reporting requirements; expanding FREYR’s eligibility for inclusion in equity indexes which would trigger associated benchmarking by actively managed funds; aligning the Company more closely with New York Stock Exchange listing standards and SEC governance requirements; and positioning FREYR to better respond to global tax developments and U.S. incentive programs for battery manufacturers.
• CQP interim milestone: On October 4, 2023, FREYR published an operations update indicating that the teams at the CQP had successfully begun automatic electrode casting with solvent slurry. This technically complex step was an important milestone in the ongoing commissioning process at the CQP and a precursor to automated production of functional cells for customer samples at the CQP.

Business update

• CQP. FREYR’s teams at the CQP, in conjunction with the Company’s vendors and partners, are advancing towards the expected start of functional cell production for customer samples using the full automation of the CQP in H1 2024. As of publication, FREYR has completed handovers of 363 of 388 (94%) discrete production line equipment commissioning and testing packages. With operations under dry room conditions including automated production of electrodes underway and the commissioning process largely complete, the team’s’ collective emphasis has shifted from installation and commissioning the plant to producing functional cells. The remaining 6% of commissioning packages will be finalized upon final handover of the Casting & Unit Cell Assembly equipment to operations later this year, which is expected to take place after the commencement of functional cell production using the full automation of the CQP.

Results Overview, Financing, and Liquidity

• FREYR reported net loss attributable to stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2023 of $(24.2) million, or $(0.17) per diluted share compared to net income for the fourth quarter 2022 of $25.3 million or $0.20 per diluted share. The net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 was primarily due to corporate overhead, spending to support FREYR's projects and business development activities, research and development spending, and severance and other termination benefits related to our restructuring, partially offset by a $8.5 million non-cash gain on warrant liability fair value adjustment. Net income in the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven by a $59.8 million non-cash gain on warrant liability fair value adjustment.
• For the full year ended December 31, 2023, FREYR reported net loss attributable to stockholders of $(71.9) million, or $(0.51) per diluted share compared to net loss of $(98.8) million, or $(0.83) per diluted share for the full year ended December 31, 2022. The net loss in 2023 was primarily due to corporate overhead, spending to support FREYR's projects and business development activities, and research and development spending, partially offset by gains on changes in warranty liabilities and foreign currency gains during the period.
• As of December 31, 2023, FREYR had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $275.7 million.

Business Outlook

FREYR is focused on advancing the following strategic mandates and milestones:

• Commencing production of functional cells for customer samples using the full automation of the CQP in H1 2024 is FREYR’s top strategic priority. Customer validation of the SemiSolid production process at giga scale and acceptance of product performance characteristics are key precursors to anticipated customer offtake conversions and unlocking potential project-level equity and debt financing, including through the DOE Title 17 program, for GIga America.
• Completing the DOE Title 17 application process and securing a conditional commitment from the Loan Programs Office before year-end 2024.
• Formalizing and announcing an agreement with a conventional battery technology solutions provider potentially in H1 2024.
• Targeting the formalization of commercial relationships to trigger development of the project options that are included in the FREYR 2.0 growth initiative.
• Maintaining the Company’s strong balance sheet and liquidity profile while making selected investments to advance FREYR’s strategic development.

Presentation of Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results

A presentation will be held today, February 29, 2024, at 8:30 am Eastern Standard Time (2:30 pm Central European Time) to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. The results and presentation material will be available for download at https://ir.freyrbattery.com.

To access the conference call, listeners should contact the conference call operator at the appropriate number listed below approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Participant conference call dial-in numbers:

United States: 1 (646) 307-1963
United Kingdom: +44 20 3481 4247
Norway: +47 57 98 94 30
Denmark: +45 32 74 07 10
Spain: +34 910 489 958
Germany: +49 69 589964217
Sweden: +46 8 505 246 90

The participant passcode for the call is: 6712391

A webcast of the conference call will be broadcast simultaneously at https://app.webinar.net/bP012wvryqm on a listen-only basis. Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software.

A replay of the webcast will be available at https://ir.freyrbattery.com/events-and-presentations/Events-Calendar/default.aspx.

About FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery is a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity. The Company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of global energy and transportation systems by producing clean, cost-competitive batteries. FREYR seeks to serve the primary markets of energy storage systems (“ESS”) and commercial mobility, and the Company maintains an ambition to serve the passenger electric vehicles market (“EV”). FREYR is commissioning and operating its Customer Qualification Plant (“CQP”) for technology development in Mo i Rana, Norway, and the company is commencing development of the Giga America battery manufacturing project in Coweta County, Georgia, in the U.S. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this presentation, including, without limitation, FREYR Battery’s (“FREYR”) ability to achieve automated, functional, customer-testable battery sample cells in H1 2024; scaling the SemiSolid platform as a path to sustainable competitive differentiation; FREYR’S cost and capital efficiency; FREYR’s plan to expand on the battery value chain into high value adjacencies and cultivate partnerships across the cell production technology spectrum; FREYR’s efforts to accelerate the path to commercialization; the pursuit of five major project opportunities in accordance with the FREYR 2.0 growth strategy; potential inorganic growth opportunities and the ability to generate revenue in the near-term through possible acquisitions; approaching milestones at FREYR’s CQP; customer acceptance and validation of the 24M SemiSolid process and product technology; securing a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) through the Title 17 application under the Loan Programs Office; the development, financing, construction, timeline, capacity, and other usefulness of FREYR’s CQP, Giga Arctic, Giga America, and other planned or future production facilities or Gigafactories; any potential project equity raise for the development of Giga America; any potential benefits of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act; establishing and/or announcing a conventional technology agreement; FREYR’s ability to reduce spending; any potential benefits of redomiciling to the U.S.; the giga-scalability of the 24M platform; and the implementation and effectiveness of FREYR’s overall business, technology, capital-raising and liquidity strategies are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYR’s control and are difficult to predict. Additional information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the “Risk Factors” section in (i) FREYR’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 1, 2022 and subsequent post-effective amendment thereto filed on January 5, 2024, (ii) FREYR Battery, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on September 8, 2023 and subsequent amendments thereto filed on October 13, 2023, October 19, 2023 and October 31, 2023, (iii) FREYR’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023, and (iv) FREYR’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023 and August 10, 2023 and November 9, 2023 available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, FREYR disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

FREYR intends to use its website as a channel of distribution to disclose information which may be of interest or material to investors and to communicate with investors and the public. Such disclosures will be included on FREYR’s website in the ‘Investor Relations’ sections. FREYR also intends to use certain social media channels, including, but not limited to, Twitter and LinkedIn, as means of communicating with the public and investors about FREYR, its progress, products, and other matters. While not all the information that FREYR posts to its digital platforms may be deemed to be of a material nature, some information may be. As a result, FREYR encourages investors and others interested to review the information that it posts and to monitor such portions of FREYR’s website and social media channels on a regular basis, in addition to following FREYR’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of FREYR’s website and other social media channels shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. FREYR Battery is a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of global energy and transportation systems by producing clean, cost-competitive batteries. FREYR seeks to serve the primary markets of energy storage systems (“ESS”) and commercial mobility, and the company maintains an ambition to serve the passenger electric vehicles market (“EV”). FREYR’s Customer Qualification Plant (“CQP”) for technology development is in service in Mo I Rana, Norway, and the company is commencing development of the Giga America battery manufacturing project in Coweta County, Georgia, in the U.S. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com

FREYR BATTERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands)
		As of December 31,
		2023				2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	253,339			$	443,063
Restricted cash			22,403				119,982
Prepaid assets			2,168				8,293
Other current assets			34,044				8,117
Total current assets			311,954				579,455
Property and equipment, net			366,357				210,777
Intangible assets, net			2,813				2,963
Long-term investments			22,303				—
Convertible note			—				19,954
Right-of-use asset under operating leases			24,476				14,538
Other long-term assets			4,282				11
Total assets		$	732,185			$	827,698
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	18,113			$	6,765
Accrued liabilities and other			30,790				51,446
Share-based compensation liability			281				4,367
Total current liabilities			49,184				62,578
Warrant liability			2,025				33,849
Operating lease liability			18,816				11,144
Other long-term liabilities			27,444				—
Total liabilities			97,469				107,571
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 355,000 shares authorized, and 139,705 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023			1,397				—
Ordinary share capital, no par value shares, 245,000 authorized, 139,854 issued, and 139,705 outstanding as of December 31, 2022			—				139,854
Additional paid-in capital			925,623				772,602
Treasury stock			—				(1,041	)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income			(18,826	)			9,094
Accumulated deficit			(274,999	)			(203,054	)
Total stockholders' equity			633,195				717,455
Non-controlling interests			1,521				2,672
Total equity			634,716				720,127
Total liabilities and equity		$	732,185			$	827,698

FREYR BATTERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
		Three months ended December 31,								Years ended December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Operating expenses:
General and administrative		$	22,728			$	29,469			$	108,133			$	107,357
Research and development			10,162				4,380				28,457				13,574
Restructuring charge			6,016				—				6,016				—
Share of net loss of equity method investee			171				426				379				1,557
Total operating expenses			39,077				34,275				142,985				122,488
Loss from operations			(39,077	)			(34,275	)			(142,985	)			(122,488	)
Other income (expense):
Warrant liability fair value adjustment			8,515				59,771				31,763				14,183
Convertible note fair value adjustment			—				(544	)			1,074				(277	)
Interest income, net			3,907				1,691				9,949				1,780
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)			309				(2,903	)			20,855				2,512
Other income, net			1,889				1,227				6,918				5,171
Total other income (expense)			14,620				59,242				70,559				23,369
(Loss) income before income taxes			(24,457	)			24,967				(72,426	)			(99,119	)
Income tax expense			(329	)			—				(670	)			—
Net (loss) income			(24,786	)			24,967				(73,096	)			(99,119	)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests			634				328				1,151				328
Net (loss) income attributable to stockholders		$	(24,152	)		$	25,295			$	(71,945	)		$	(98,791	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			139,705				123,455				139,705				118,474
Diluted			139,705				127,889				139,705				118,474
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic		$	(0.17	)		$	0.20			$	(0.51	)		$	(0.83	)
Diluted		$	(0.17	)		$	0.20			$	(0.51	)		$	(0.83	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) income		$	(24,786	)		$	24,967			$	(73,096	)		$	(99,119	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax			20,089				26,165				(27,920	)			9,618
Total comprehensive (loss) income			(4,697	)			51,132				(101,016	)			(89,501	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests			634				328				1,151				328
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to stockholders		$	(4,063	)		$	51,460			$	(99,865	)		$	(89,173	)

FREYR BATTERY, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands)
		For the years ended December 31,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(73,096	)		$	(99,119	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense			11,595				8,643
Depreciation and amortization			3,344				478
Loss on U.S. joint venture consolidation			—				1,619
Reduction in the carrying amount of right-of-use assets			1,351				1,458
Warrant liability fair value adjustment			(31,763	)			(14,183	)
Convertible note fair value adjustment			(1,074	)			277
Share of net loss of equity method investee			379				1,557
Foreign currency transaction net unrealized gain			(19,648	)			(2,868	)
Other			469				2
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid assets and other current assets			4,487				(3,664	)
Other long-term assets			—				—
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other			20,039				17,385
Operating lease liability			(4,012	)			(1,594	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(87,929	)			(90,009	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from property related grants			3,500				10,461
Purchases of property and equipment			(187,823	)			(180,787	)
Investments in equity method investee			(1,655	)			(3,000	)
Asset acquisition, cash acquired			—				300
Purchases of other long-term assets			(1,000	)			(2,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(186,978	)			(175,026	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net			—				251,124
Repurchase of treasury shares			—				(1,052	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			—				250,072
Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(12,396	)			12,381
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(287,303	)			(2,582	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period			563,045				565,627
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period		$	275,742			$	563,045
Reconciliation to consolidated balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	253,339			$	443,063
Restricted cash			22,403				119,982
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		$	275,742			$	563,045

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240229252927/en/

Investor contact:

Jeffrey Spittel

Head of Investor Relations

jeffrey.spittel@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 409-599-5706



Media contact:

Amy Jaick

Global Head of Communications

amy.jaick@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 973 713-5585

Source: FREYR Battery, Inc.

FAQ

What financial results did FREYR report for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023?

FREYR reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.

What milestone was reached at the Customer Qualification Plant?

Another key milestone was reached at the Customer Qualification Plant with successful automated anode casting trials.

What is the expected timeline for the production of functional battery cells at the CQP?

FREYR expects to commence production of functional battery cells for customer samples using the full automation of the CQP in H1 2024.

What is the purpose of FREYR's Title 17 application with the U.S. Department of Energy?

The Title 17 application is tied to the development of Giga America using the 24M Technologies U.S.-based SemiSolid platform.

What is the FREYR 2.0 growth initiative?

FREYR's FREYR 2.0 growth initiative encompasses the pursuit of five major opportunities tied to distinct projects totaling more than 100 GWh of production capacity in the U.S. and Europe.